A love story as turbulent as it is enduring, brought vividly to life through Johnny Cash’s timeless catalogue.
The Ballad of Johnny and June tells the story of the whirlwind romance between the legendary Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, framed through the perspective of their son, John Carter Cash. The musical does not shy away from either the highs or the lows of their relationship, exploring how life on the road, addiction, and the pressures of fame pushed them to their limits. Under the direction of Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, Cash’s timeless catalogue is used to chart a love story as turbulent as it is enduring.
Johnny Cash has long been on my dream dinner‑party guest list, and I’ve been a devoted fan of his music for many years. I’ve seen more than a few tribute bands celebrating his legacy and often find myself wishing I could travel back in time to have seen him perform live. Much of what I previously knew about his relationship with June Carter Cash came from the 2005 film Walk the Line, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, which offered a powerful but necessarily condensed version of their story.
The role of Johnny Cash is played by American actor Christopher Ryan Grant, who originated the part in the 2024 La Jolla Playhouse production of The Ballad of Johnny & June, making it a real privilege to see him perform here. His vocal delivery, combined with his facial expressions and physical mannerisms, is outstanding, capturing Cash’s presence with striking authenticity.
June Carter Cash is played by Christina Bianco, and the on‑stage chemistry between the two is electric. One of my favourite Cash songs, his Nine Inch Nails cover of Hurt, is performed beautifully by Grant, who absolutely nails its emotional weight. I also particularly enjoyed I Walk the Line and Ring of Fire, the latter, a fun fact, was written by June Carter Cash herself.
John Carter Cash, Johnny and June’s son, is played by Ryan O’Donnell. This proves to be a pivotal role, effectively holding the show together by guiding the audience through shifting timelines and transitions between different periods of their lives.
The ensemble are also fantastic, many taking on multiple roles, whether members of the Carter family, Johnny’s bandmates, or providing backing vocals, all with impressive energy and versatility. Notable performances include Anne‑Marie Wojna as Johnny’s first wife, Chomba S. Taulo as June’s second husband, Abigail Matthews as a Carter family member, and Christopher Short as a musician in Johnny’s band. The ensemble remains on stage for much of the show, seamlessly supporting the storytelling throughout, hats off to them.
The staging is simple but effective. By showing onstage and backstage action simultaneously, the production maintains clear storytelling at all times, and I never felt unsure of where the action was set.
As the curtain falls one final time, this production makes its last appearance at Theatre Royal Brighton on Saturday 18th April. Evening performances take place at 7:30pm, with 2:30pm matinées on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, your final opportunity to catch the show before it takes its final bow. Book HERE.